WHEN CHARGERS ON DEFENSE VS. JAGUARS
WHEN THE JAGUARS HAVE THE BALL

The Jaguars are scoring 11.7 points per game, last in the NFL. The huge problem remains below-average quarterback play. At full strength, the Jaguars would be intriguing, but injuries and a recent trade thinned the talent.

After facing five consecutive quarterbacks who can run away from defenders, the Chargers get an easier target in Chad Henne, a pocket passer whose 40 time was 4.92 in 2008.

Henne, filling in for an overwhelmed Blaine Gabbert, has four interceptions, two touchdown passes and a 58.4-percent completion rate. He has a big arm.

The tackles were to be Eugene Monroe, a top-10 performer on Henne’s blind side; and rookie Luke Joeckel, drafted second overall. Rookie GM David Caldwell dealt Monroe, who is in his walk year, three weeks ago for Baltimore’s 2014 fourth- and fifth-round picks. The move allowed Joeckel to switch to left tackle, his natural position — but he fractured his ankle in his first half there, against the Rams in Week Five.

The offense’s best player is receiver Cecil Shorts III, who runs the route tree and breaks tackles. A shoulder injury suffered last Sunday has limited him this week.

The Rams didn’t guard receiver Justin Blackmon on a slant, and he took it 67 yards for a gift touchdown. With consistency, he’s beating cornerbacks and catching Henne’s lasers before other defenders can make a play. In his last two games, he has 19 catches for 326 yards and a TD. “He’s aggressive,” said cornerback Derek Cox, a teammate last year.

The Chargers defense, coming off its best performance, figures to gang up on Blackmon, who is nursing a hamstring injury, and force Henne to hit other targets, which won’t include No. 3 receiver Ace Sanders (concussion). Tackling compact Maurice Jones-Drew (2.9 per carry) is also on the agenda for a unit that could be without Donald Butler (groin). “He can embarrass you,” Jarret Johnson said. “It’s like hitting a wall.”